Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

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Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
With all the talk lately of Dealer AC installations, I was daydreaming about installing one of the aftermarket AC systems...(I get a lot of what I call "Windshield time" to ponder things...lol).

Now, I realize some of you (or all of you) would never consider such a thing, but I was thinking why couldn't one just gut the existing Non-AC components and install one of those aftermarket compact heat/AC combo units?

Then, while looking at other Bullnose junk on Ebay I came across this Bronco...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143335776045

Clearly, they gutted the original heater box and cable controls, blanked off the firewall, and installed a compact AC/Heat Combo-unit inside the cab.

Note: If I was to ever do this, I'd make it a little prettier in the engine bay and use dash vents that looked a little closer to the factory originals, but whatever...obviously this is a function over form install...





1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

1986F150Six
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Rembrant wrote
Now, I realize some of you (or all of you) would never consider such a thing, but I was thinking why couldn't one just gut the existing Non-AC components and install one of those aftermarket compact heat/AC combo units?

It is your truck, Cory, so make yourself happy!
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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
1986F150Six wrote
It is your truck, Cory, so make yourself happy!
TRUTH!
David, I am always aware of the potential backlash of "Why would you ever do such a thing?", so I was just making a point in advance.

My "Internet Armor" is well worn, so I'm used to it...lol, but still, we all have our opinions.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
In reply to this post by Rembrant
Gentlemen,

Have a look at this picture...there is a vertical switch on the right hand side of the heat/AC control panel. Since this is a Bronco, is that the switch for the rear window? It would either be that or a dual tank switch, and this being a Bronco, I assume rear window...and nothing at all to do with HVAC?

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, as the Bronco only had one tank that switch is not a tank selection switch.  Instead, when it is supplied it is a rear power window switch, as shown below.

However, I don't know what the heater controls are, but I'm pretty sure they aren't Bullnose.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
Gary Lewis wrote
However, I don't know what the heater controls are, but I'm pretty sure they aren't Bullnose.
It appears to be a universal controller by Vintage Air. If you look at the page below, scroll down to "Optional Universal Components", second row down, last item on the right, I believe that is it.

https://www.vintageair.com/builder-series/?subcat1=Under%20Dash&subcat2=Slimline&subcat3=Heat%20Cool%20and%20Defrost

I also found this one while searching for other stuff...

https://www.restomodair.com/shopproducts/1973-79-ford-truck-x-act-fit-ac-controller/

I wonder how closely it would fit in the Bullnose bezel?...
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

FuzzFace2
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
I don't remember how the AC duct work was run if you could use part or it with an AC dash and plumb an after market system into it?
The other thing is where does the factory fresh air enter the truck, again I don't remember and raining to hard to run across the yard to my garage to see if I can tell.

Looking over my pictures the left side of both AC & non-AC frames have the openings for the AC duct / vents and just bolt them in and change the gauge bezel to an AC one from the looks of it.

Now the left side I don't think is that easy to just cut the openings and install the vents and think that is part of the main dash frame.

I dint think the pictures Cory posted of the Bronco setup is all that bad. They are in the factory spots just a little smaller / thinner is all.
And other than the rear window not marked up/down the control looks pretty good also.

I think everyone knows where I stand on factory or aftermarket AC systems
Dave ----
Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100
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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
Dave,

Seeing this truck on Ebay gave me some inspiration for installing an aftermarket system. I still need heat, and defrost for sure, so one of the compact combo units would do the trick, and that is what appears to be in this Bronco. I like some things to stay looking factory, but I'm also OK with some restomod things as well.

Locating and swapping/installing a factory system is not really an ideal thing for me to do/attempt. I'd rather go with a new kit and make it work.

I think the dash vents could be made to look better, as well as the engine bay area.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Cory - Thought of you when I saw this:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

1986F150Six
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Dealer installed?
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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Gary Lewis
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Yes, probably.  Doesn't look like the stuff I've been around that came from the factory.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
Gary thanks I will check it tonight when I get home. Slipped over the US briefly today to pick up a load of truck parts! Is it on EBay or craigslist?
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Gary Lewis
Administrator
He just put it on Facebook. Bullnose Obsession. Are you a member?
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Rembrant
Gary Lewis wrote
He just put it on Facebook. Bullnose Obsession. Are you a member?
Yes I am Gary, but I had had notifications for it turned off. I messaged the guy yesterday but still no replies.

I've been playing a bit of a waiting game lately on the AC parts. I have collected a bunch of parts already. So far I have the pump and all factory mounting brackets for my 302, the 3 groove crank pulley, and assortment of dash vents that Scott sent me, and a grey weave instrument bezel from a truck with factory AC. I'm getting there, but still need the crucial equipment for both sides of the firewall.

I have been in contact with two different guys locally that have factory AC trucks they will be parting out. One an '84 and the other an '86. They're being held up because of the weather. I expect once it warms up I'll start getting my hands on more parts.

I'm intrigued by the dealer-installed system though. If I could get all of the required parts for it, I'd give it a go if it meant an easier (and less intrusive) installation.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Aftermarket Air Conditioning (And heat) - Custom Installation...

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Perhaps he will get back with you soon.  Having lots of parts helps with the installation as it opens up opportunities.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI